Man accused of putting dog in hot oven appears in court

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SALEM, Ore. – A 20-year-old Lyons, Ore. man accused of beating a 6-year-old Chihuahua and putting it in a heated oven appeared in in Marion County court Tuesday afternoon.

Kevin Parrish is charged with aggravated animal abuse.

But even if he’s convicted of that crime, a felony, Parrish won’t face prison time, according to the Animal League Defense Fund, an organization pushing for stronger penalties in animal abuse cases.

“The problem is in Oregon, the judge’s real authority is based on sentencing guidelines,” said Clatsop County District Attorney and Animal League Defense Fund board member Josh Marquis. “Even if a person in theory had multiple violent felony convictions, the maximum sentence a judge would be able to give them under Oregon law would be 60 days in jail, not a prison sentence.”

The judge denied Parrish’s request to be released from jail Tuesday. Bail was set at $100,000.

"Even if the judge wants to, he can't send them to prison," said Marquis.

Marion County sheriff’s deputies said Parrish was watching the 9-pound dog, Kudo, for his grandmother, who was out of state.

Parrish told deputies he got angry on Friday after Kudo nipped him, so he grabbed the dog and started punching him in the head. Deputies said Parrish also admitted to trying to strangle Kudo, according to a news release from the Marion County Sheriff's Office.

Parrish told investigators he then decided to put the dog in the oven, which was preheated to cook food at 350 degrees, deputies said.

“Parrish said he was prepared to leave him there, but he suddenly heard his brother coming into the house,” the news release said.

Parrish' brother and father rescued Kudo and took him to a veterinarian. Three of Kudo's legs were badly burned, his hair was singed and he had cuts and bruises, deputies said.

Parrish, who has no criminal record, admitted to deputies that he has anger issues and snapped when dealing with the dog.

Parrish's father is taking care of Kudo and the dog will continue receiving care at the vet clinic.